Shenlong Spaceplane is China's Answer to the X-37B

On February 7, 2026, China successfully launched its experimental reusable spacecraft for the fourth time, marking a significant milestone in its rapid advancement of orbital technologies. The mission, carried by a Long March 2F rocket, lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center late Friday local time, according to reports from state media agency Xinhua. This launch continues a trend of high-stakes, secretive missions designed to verify reusable spaceplane technologies, positioning China as a primary competitor in the development of flexible, autonomous orbital platforms. By returning to flight approximately 519 days after its third mission, the spacecraft—often referred to as Shenlong (Spaceplane)—demonstrates a maturing operational tempo and a deepening commitment to the peaceful use of space through reusable infrastructure.

Is China's spaceplane similar to the US Space Shuttle or X-37B?

China's Shenlong spaceplane is most similar to the US Boeing X-37B, as both are unmanned, rocket-deployed vehicles capable of complex orbital maneuvering and runway landings. Unlike the retired US Space Shuttle, which was a massive crewed vehicle, the Shenlong is smaller and optimized for long-duration robotic missions. It shares the X-37B's secretive mission profile and compact design, fitting within a standard rocket fairing for launch.

The Long March 2F carrier rocket used for these missions provides a payload capacity of approximately eight metric tons to low Earth orbit, which dictates the physical constraints of the Shenlong (Spaceplane). Evidence from previous launches, including amateur optical imagery and photos of the payload fairing, suggests the vehicle features a winged design that requires specialized aerodynamic housing. While the US Space Shuttle served as a heavy-lift vehicle for modular space station construction and satellite repair, the Chinese spaceplane appears focused on testing sensitive technologies and conducting Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPOs) without the need for a human crew. This technological parallel highlights a shift in global space strategy toward smaller, more versatile, and highly secretive reusable assets.

What technologies is the Chinese reusable spacecraft testing?

The Shenlong spaceplane is testing critical technologies such as autonomous satellite deployment and recovery, reusable thermal protection systems, and orbital maneuvering. It has also demonstrated the ability to release "wingman" objects into orbit for proximity testing. These capabilities are essential for mastering reusable re-entry systems and validating hardware for future two-stage-to-orbit (TSTO) transportation systems.

The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) is utilizing these missions to provide technical support for a variety of orbital applications. According to Xinhua, the current mission will focus on technological verification to support the long-term sustainability of space operations. Previous flights have shown the spacecraft releasing small satellites or unidentified objects, then maneuvering back toward them to practice docking or inspection techniques. These maneuvers are vital for both civilian satellite maintenance and potential military applications, such as orbital debris removal or intelligence gathering. Furthermore, the Shenlong (Spaceplane) project received national funding from the Natural Science Foundation of China in 2022, signaling its importance as a pillar of the nation's broader space infrastructure.

How long did previous missions of China's reusable spacecraft last?

The duration of previous missions for China's reusable spacecraft has evolved from a two-day inaugural flight in 2020 to a 276-day mission that concluded in May 2023. This progression shows a clear trajectory toward extended orbital stays, with each flight testing the limits of the vehicle's endurance. The current 2026 mission is expected to follow this trend of long-duration operation.

Strategic timelines for the Shenlong (Spaceplane) reveal a calculated approach to testing. The first mission, launched in September 2020, was a brief technical demonstration lasting only 48 hours. However, the second mission, launched in August 2022, remained in orbit for nine months before successfully landing at the Lop Nur landing site in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region. The third mission followed a 220-day gap after the second, further refining the spacecraft's ability to operate in the harsh environment of space. These increasing intervals of time in orbit allow CASC engineers to monitor how the vehicle’s components, such as its robotic arms and sensors, perform over several months, which is critical for developing a reliable, reusable fleet.

The logistical preparation for this fourth mission occurred despite a temporary strain on China's launch facilities. Following the Shenzhou 20 debris strike crisis in late 2025, there was a brief gap in emergency launch capabilities at Jiuquan. However, the Long March 2F T variant rocket, a modified version of the human-rated launcher, was prepared successfully to ensure the spaceplane mission remained on schedule. This resilience underscores the high priority the China National Space Administration (CNSA) places on maintaining its orbital schedule and its commitment to the Shenlong (Spaceplane) program as a key component of its national security and technological prestige.

Strategic analysts view the continued development of the Shenlong (Spaceplane) as part of a larger "orbital chess match" between global superpowers. The mission’s timing and secretive nature often mirror the activities of the US Space Force's X-37B, which has also been used for long-duration testing of secret payloads. By developing its own reusable vehicle, China aims to lower the costs of space access while gaining the ability to launch, recover, and relaunch sensitive equipment rapidly. This capability is viewed as essential for future Orbital Security and the management of a sustainable space environment, as reusable systems significantly reduce the production of long-term space debris compared to traditional expendable rockets.

Looking ahead, the success of this fourth mission will likely lead to even more ambitious goals for the Shenlong (Spaceplane). Experts expect the current flight to involve more complex sub-satellite deployments and perhaps even tests of a reusable suborbital first stage, which was previously flight-tested in 2021 and 2022. As CASC continues to refine its two-stage-to-orbit (TSTO) concepts, the lessons learned from the current mission will be integrated into the next generation of Chinese launch vehicles, such as the Zhuque-3 and Long March 12A. The international community, including U.S. Space Force catalog tracking, will be closely monitoring the spacecraft's maneuvers to better understand the future of reusable orbital flight and its implications for global space policy.

• Mission Launch Date: February 7, 2026
• Launch Location: Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, China
• Primary Vehicle: Shenlong Reusable Spaceplane
• Carrier Rocket: Long March 2F (T variant)
• Lead Developer: China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC)
• Key Objectives: Reusability verification, RPO maneuvers, and satellite deployment